Anxiety Board decisions

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Veteran's mood and anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination. The issues on appeal are related to his depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right hip iliotibial band syndrome.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was incurred in service and aggravated by his military duties. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder was rated at 50 percent prior to July 8, 2014 and a TDIU was not granted prior to that date.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent effective May 1, 2013. The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including panic disorder without agoraphobia, was not caused or aggravated by her active duty service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for her acquired psychiatric disorder prior to March 17, 2014 was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability rating for her stress fractures of the lower extremities and TDIU or SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than anxiety with depressive disorder and PTSD. The claim of new and material evidence was granted, but the main issue of service connection remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination and issuance of an SOC addressing the issue of initial increased rating for PTSD disability. The claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse and eating disorder will be readjudicated based on the additional evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition existed prior to service. The Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are linked to his in-service sexual abuse by priests.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and hypertension, as well as his request for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of traumatic brain injury, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or symptoms for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, heart disability, hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address the Veteran's reported stressors in service, as well as his current psychiatric disabilities. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and sleeping problems, was denied. The VA examiner found no evidence of a current mental health disorder related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and Alzheimer's disease. The decision also noted that the Veteran had not specified any in-service stressor for his PTSD claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acne vulgaris and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection are addressed in the remand portion.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, with PTSD features and alcohol abuse, is rated at 50 percent since August 5, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the issues related to major depressive disorder, TDIU, knee condition, cervical spine condition, shoulder conditions, anxiety, and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hand tremors and PTSD, but denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (to include GAD and MDD). The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is considered a progression of her anxiety disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service, with the exception of a diagnosis of major depression in remission.